---
title: How Nurses Can Practice Self-Care
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/how-nurses-can-practice-self-care/"
type: post
date_published: 2024-11-06
date_modified: 2025-08-01
schema:
  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 828
reading_time: 5 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/how-nurses-can-practice-self-care/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Self-Care-heart.webp"
categories:
  - Newsroom
topic:
  - Nursing
---

# How Nurses Can Practice Self-Care

[**HealthLeaders**](https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/cno/contributed-content-how-nurses-can-practice-self-care)
, October 28th, 2024
Written by Maryn Moreni MSN-FNP, RN, CNE

_Prioritizing self-care is crucial for maintaining well-being and can help reduce compassion fatigue and lower stress levels. Maryn Moreni, assistant professor from [Arizona College of Nursing in Tempe](https://www.arizonacollege.edu/tempe-nursing-school/), shares 10 self-care tips to try!_

---

## Key Takeaways

1. Self-care can enhance mental and physical health, ultimately leading to
   improved patient care.
2. It’s critical that CNOs encourage self-care in their workforces to promote
   wellness and a healthy work environment.

As a nurse educator, I teach students about wellness, health promotion, and
disease prevention for their patients. But what many nurses fail to do is take
care of themselves.

Nurses are entrusted with making critical decisions that can profoundly impact
our patients’ lives. Many of these decisions need to be made quickly, demanding
not only clinical skills but also mental sharpness and clarity. Moreover, the
physical demands of the role—often requiring 12+ hour shifts— can lead to
burnout.

![Self Care heart](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Self-Care-heart.webp)![Self Care heart](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Self-Care-heart.webp)
Prioritizing self-care is crucial for maintaining well-being and can help reduce
compassion fatigue and lower stress levels, allowing nurses to approach each
shift with renewed energy and focus. Self-care can enhance mental and physical
health, ultimately leading to improved patient care. It’s important that CNOs
encourage self-care in their workforces to promote wellness and a healthy work
environment.

Self-care is not limited to nursing or healthcare workers. We can all benefit
from self-care to improve our mental, physical, and emotional health. Let’s
explore simple yet powerful ways to implement self-care amidst the demands of
our daily lives.

**1\. Sensory Meditation:** Sometimes, the practice of meditation can seem
intimidating. Engage in sensory meditation by focusing on one sense at a time.
For example, spend a few minutes appreciating the aroma of your favorite coffee,
candle, or essential oil, listening to calming nature sounds, or savoring the
taste and texture of a piece of dark chocolate.

**2\. DIY Spa Day:** Create your own spa day at home with DIY treatments such as
homemade face masks, luxurious baths with Epsom salts and essential oils, and
soothing hand and foot massages. Engage your partner or family members in the
experience to foster personal connection.

**3\. Journaling with Prompts:** Reflection and debriefing are important for
nursing students and nurses but can also be effective for anyone. Use journaling
prompts specifically tailored to you to reflect on your experiences, emotions,
and accomplishments. Explore prompts related to gratitude, resilience, and
self-compassion to foster personal growth and well-being. An example prompt
could be, “What am I proud of myself for today?”

**4\. Artistic Expression:** Explore different forms of artistic expression such
as, painting, sketching, or photography, as a creative outlet for processing
emotions and promoting self-expression. Need help figuring out where to start or
what to try? There are some excellent adult coloring book options out there!

**5\. Dance Therapy:** Incorporate dance therapy into your self-care routine by
engaging in spontaneous dancing to your favorite music. Allow yourself to let go
of stress and tension as you move freely and express yourself through dance.

**6\. Mindful Eating:** Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite of your
meals, paying attention to the flavors, textures, and sensations. Take time to
eat without distractions, focusing on nourishing your body and enjoying the
culinary experience. You could create a simple rule such as not eating in your
car…or not eating from the work vending machines!

**7\. Laugh Therapy:** Dedicate time to watch or listen to comedic content that
makes you laugh wholeheartedly. Laughter releases endorphins and reduces stress,
offering a natural and enjoyable way to boost your mood and well-being.

**8\. Nature Immersion:** Immerse yourself in nature by spending time outdoors
engaging in activities such as hiking, gardening, or birdwatching. Connecting
with the natural world can help reduce stress, improve mood, and promote overall
well-being.

**9\. Intuitive Movement:** Practice intuitive movement by tuning into your
body’s signals and engaging in activities that feel good and energizing. Whether
it’s yoga, tai chi, or simply stretching, allow your body to guide you in
movement that promotes relaxation and vitality.

**10\. Community Service:** My favorite self-care practice has nothing to do
with self! Volunteer your time and skills to support community service
initiatives or organizations that align with your values and interests. Giving
back to others can foster a sense of purpose, connection, and fulfillment,
enriching your own well-being in the process.

---

These are a few practices I incorporate into my life and share with my nursing
students. Any act of self-care can provide meaningful benefits. Remember,
self-care is highly personal, so explore and experiment with different practices
to find what resonates most with you.

**Categories:** Newsroom